In the embargoed section of his pre-Fulham press conference, Mikel Arteta was asked questions about Martin Odegaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel escaping a red card against Man City, and more.
Here’s what he had to say in full.
**On how much Arsenal need Martin Odegaard…**
He is the captain for a reason and he has a personality, an aura, a way to conduct and raise the standards that is very rare to see, and he does it in any circumstances. He is a player who brings so much energy to the team as well because he is always at it, he is always so focused, very demanding. I am glad to hear that you like the way he talks because when he talks, he talks. He is not someone who needs to be talking constantly because it is more about actions than talking. When he does talk, I think it is very impactful.
**On needing bravery in the final matches…**
We know that, we know what is at stake. We need to push it and everybody has to lead himself and take ownership of the moment because the impact that you can have now is going to define the history of the club, and that is a very powerful thing to have.
**On the tight turnaround time between games…**
I think it comes down to preparation. We have done it for nine and a half months now so we are used to that. And we know that we can only focus on one game and that game has enough difficulties and challenges that thinking in a different way is not going to be helpful at all.
The players’ reaction immediately after that \[Atletic\] is, now it is Fulham, now it is Fulham, now it is Fulham, immediately in the dressing room. They know that and they will have time to prepare for Atletico Madrid. After that, we are going to have more separation in games. So we know that this very particular period and short turnaround, just focus on Fulham and we will take care of the rest afterwards.
**On Brighton consulting an MMA fighter to help them with set pieces and what that says about the Premier League…**
Probably where we are going is that if we look 30, 40, 50 years ago in the Premier League or in football, this has already been done. In a different way, maybe it wasn’t in the media, but it’s been done. I know stories about 20, 30 years ago, things that used to be done. And if they are done today, it looks like some innovation and sometimes it’s not. The same with tactics, we do that, this is genius, we’ve done that. 50 years ago somebody already did it, so we are recycling the machine.
**On any examples…**
No, because you’re going to use it in a way that I think is not going to be appropriate, but it’s in my head.
**On the Premier League saying in retrospect that Gabriel should have been sent off against Manchester City…**
After the red card of Kuzanov? No, I don’t feel lucky at it.
**On whether he’s surprised that they are saying it should have been red…**
Yes.
**On how he stops his players from freezing under pressure…**
When you have the opportunity to make history in such a way, I think you have to embrace it, that’s it. That’s what you’ve been working for, that’s the goal that we set at the start of the season. So when you pursue a dream and you have it in front of you, you have to make your very best to achieve it and there is nothing else but bringing out your best, that’s it.
**On whether the Premier League is becoming too physical and that it can’t match the levels shown by PSG and Bayern…**
When I look at that game, Bayern and PSG, it’s probably the best game I have ever witnessed on the quality of two teams, and especially the individual quality that the players deliver. I’ve never seen something like this. But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, then I’m not surprised.
To deliver those moments of quality, you have to be very fresh and the difference in the leagues and the way they’re competing is night and day. You just have to see a lot of stats that have been recently around it. We are competing in two different worlds, so you cannot compare one part of that without giving any context to the other thing. I don’t think it’s fair.
**On the variables that could decide the title…**
Well, it’s so many, there are so many variables in a Premier League match to understand the outcome of the game or the result. So many of them are so unpredictable to happen. Take the game where you want it, do a lot of the things that you believe are right to achieve the results and then this is football. The margins are so small and let’s see what happens.
**On his experience of run-ins and what he’s learnt from them…**
Yes. Have every player available and fit at their best. C’est fini. With that, I’m a happy man. That’s the most important thing. When you see it, you talk about the other two teams the other night. How many players were available? All of them at their very best. That’s the best, most important thing.
**On complaints to Uefa about the Metropolitano pitch…**
We have a process every game to understand that everything is down to the standard that it has to be. That’s our duty and that’s it.
**On criticism of Ethan Nwaneri by the Marseille coach…**
I think that’s the coach’s opinion. He’s with him every single day and that’s it. He’s the one making the decision. He’s the one that sees and understands better what he’s doing, and Ethan has to respond to that in the right way. So it’s the same place that William Saliba was, the same club and the outcome. Let’s see. Maybe it’s the best thing that can happen for Ethan for his career. Maybe. We don’t know.